ORLANDO, FL - Fresh products and bold flavors continue to be on the forefront of consumers' brains as we move ever closer to PMA Fresh Summit, keeping citrus in high demand. With IRI Worldwide Data reporting that citrus category growth has out-performed fruit and produce category growth in both volume and dollar sales over the past year, Sunkist Growers is in prime position to preview this year’s wide crop selections on the show floor. 

“PMA marks the beginning of a new citrus season, so this is a great time for us to connect with our customers and discuss opportunities to capitalize on demand,” explained Joan Wickham, Sunkist’s Director of Communications. “We are excited to kick off the season, and showcase trends and marketing initiatives.” 

Navel Oranges

Mid-October, known affectionately as PMA season by many in our industry, is also the kick off of Sunkist Navel orange season. Refreshingly sweet and juicy, Sunkist says that Navel oranges are the most popular and widely known citrus fruit in the world. The popular treat is also both seedless and easy-to-peel, making it an excellent choice for either a tasty and nutritious snack, or an ingredient for fresh, seasonal recipes. 

Satsuma Mandarins

Sunkist will also be showcasing its Satsuma mandarins at its booth come this weekend. Also sweet, seedless, and easy-peel mandarins are often a consumer favorite. Satsuma mandarins are packed with both flavor and vitamin C, with just one Satsuma mandarin providing you with a full day's supply, according to a press release.

Meyer Lemons

Sunkist describes this increasingly popular variety as a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin. PMA attendees can see these sweeter and less acidic lemons for themselves this weekend, smelling their notably herbal scent. Perfect for cooking, baking, and beverages, Sunkist offers these, conventional, and speciality lemons such as Seedless and Zebra_® brand (pink variegated) year-round to meet growing demand for this versatile household staple. 

Along with the company’s focus on the aforementioned varieties, Sunkist growers are increasing production of organic citrus varieties as consumer demand for organics continue to increase. The cooperative is currently offering a broad portfolio of organics, including Navel, Cara Cara Navel, and Valencia oranges, mandarins, Minneola tangelos, grapefruit, lemons, and limes. 

“Consumers are looking for seasonal items in the produce department,” added Sunkist’s Director of Retail Marketing, Julie DeWolf. “Retailers can generate excitement around citrus season by leveraging point of sale materials such as posters and secondary display units, coupled with sampling, to educate consumers about seasonality, nutrition information, and flavor profiles of seasonal varieties.” 

At PMA, Sunkist will be sampling citrus recipes by the always talented Chef Jill Davie, including an Orange Chorizo-Spiced Burger Bowl and a Lemon-Coconut Soup with butternut squash, tomatoes, and basil shrimp. Chef Kathy Casey will also be on hand serving refreshing beverages, including a Lemon Lavender Soda in the morning, and a California Mai Tai made with freshly squeezed oranges, lemons, and limes, in the afternoon. 

Be sure to stop by booth #2643 to try all these tasty treats and see the wide array of citrus firsthand, or if you can’t attend, do a little exploring on www.sunkist.com.

Sunkist Growers